Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down Versus Ekseption PHA Activator
Updated on May 29, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain PHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, parabens or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down 14 ingredients
Ekseption PHA Activator 25 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down 14 ingredients
Ekseption PHA Activator 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningPhragmites Karka Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Heptanoate
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearyl Caprylate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Bacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Triethylene Glycol
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Water, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Gluconolactone, Stearyl Heptanoate, Propylene Glycol, Stearyl Caprylate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Tranexamic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Lactobionic Acid, Hexylresorcinol, Bacillus Ferment, Sodium Lactate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Triethylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLactobionic Acid is a PHA. PHAs are the gentle cousins to AHAS.
Like AHAs, they exfoliate the top layer of skin. Lactobionic acid also exhibits significant antioxidant activity.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. This means they do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
By removing dead skin cells, PHAs leave the skin brighter and with even-texture.
Learn more about Lactobionic AcidPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down 14 ingredients
Ekseption PHA Activator 25 ingredients
Reviews
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